William Barton Rogers to Henry Darwin Rogers, September 24, 1860

Boston, September 24, 1860.

. . . We expect to remove to Boston for the winter in about three weeks. . . . My last visit to Boston was for the purpose of reading to a committee a pretty full outline of an Institute of Technology, to comprise a Society of Arts, an Industrial Museum, and a School of Industrial Science. My plan is very large, but is much liked, and I shall probably submit it, by request, to a meeting of leading persons in the course of a week or two, after which it will be printed in pamphlet form. The educational feature of the plan is what ought most to recommend it, and will, I think, be well appreciated. It provides for regular systematic teaching in Drawing and Design, Mathematics, general and applied Physics, Practical Chemistry, Geology and Mining, and would require at least five fully equipped professorships, besides laboratories, even at the beginning. It contemplates two classes of pupils, — those who go through a regular and continuous course of practical studies, and those who attend the lectures on Practical Science and Art. But I will not dilate on the plan now.

I wish, some day that you are enough at leisure, you would write Mr. Savage a few lines about your own doings, or any matter of local antiquarian interest that may turn up. I know he would be greatly pleased to hear from you. I have never known him more cheerful and happy, or more gentle and benevolent, than now. He seems to rejoice as much as we when a letter comes by steamer from you and Eliza.

You may tell friends in Scotland that the slavery extension doctrine will be effectually wiped out by this election. Mr. Andrew, whom you know, will be the next Governor, — an honest, fearless, clearheaded and humane man. Lincoln, by all reliable accounts, is a like character, with probably more decided intellectual power.

Some people are just now greatly exercised, as the Methodists say, with the expected visit of the Prince. Of course the long ears will show themselves on such occasions. But I trust the reception in Boston will be marked by self-respect, as well as courtesy to the symbolic guest. There has been much folly committed in Canada, and I fear there will be vastly more in New York.

Ticknor and Fields have just reprinted Tyndall's volume on the Glaciers. I shall take it to the country, and may be tempted to write a critique.

Ferguson, of the National Observatory, has lately discovered another asteroid.

SOURCE: Emma Savage Rogers & William T. Sedgwick, Life and Letters of William Barton Rogers, Volume 2, p. 41-2